Combination aerator and hose coupling device



NOV- 12 1963 F. E. BENJAMIN ETAL 3,110,445

COMBINATION AERATOR AND HOSE COUPLING DEVICE Filed Deo. 10, 1962 l geolye Il United States Patent @dice ansias Patented Nov. l2, lg

3,116,445 CMEINATEGN AERATOR AND HSE CGUELING DEVICE E. Bengamin, Chicago Heights, and George W.

.lah-ho, Chicago, lll., assignors to Wrightway Engineering Co., Chicago, lll., a corporation o illinois Filed Dec. ill, 1%2, Ser. No. 243,491 7 Claims. (Cl. Z39- 432) This invention relates to aerators, and more particularly to a combination aerator and hose coupling device.

The popularity of aerators for mixing air and water to provide a soit, bubbly, non-splashing stream has -led to such general use of these devices that they are now regarded as a standard plumbing item. Moreover, because of such popularity, many specialized types of aerators have been developed for `use in specc applications and for particular purposes.

One of these specialized types is the so-called combination aerator and hose coupling which i'runctions as an aerator when the device is used by Iitself and as a hose coupling for connecting the water supply hoses of various types of appliances, such as portable dishwashing machines and the like, to a Water faucet on which the device is mounted. The aerator portion of such a combination device usually employs radial or lateral air inlet ports in the side Wall of the aerator housing which supply air to the mixing structure of the aerator. To prevent back-flow through these ports, the device usually includes sealing structure for closing the ports when the iitting is engaged with the device.

ln accordance with the present invention, the necessity for such sealing structure is completely eliminated by utilizing an aerator of the type having a bottom air inlet and without the usual lateral air ports .in the aerator casing. lHowever, considerable difculty was encountered in adapting this type of aerator for use in a combination aerator and hose coupling device. Among the many problems to be overcome in such an adaptation was that of preventing back-looding through the air inlet passages due to the reduced size and speciiic shape of the male coupling portion of the device in which the aerator portion is mounted.

Accordingly, it is a general object of tne present invention to provide a novel and improved combination aerator and hose coupling device for connection to a water faucet, or the like, wherein the aerator portion of the device employs a bottom air inlet.

Another object oi the inventionis to provide a novel and improved combination aerator and hose coupling device which effectively prevents baclr-ooding through the bottom air inlet when the device is functioning solely as an aerator.

A more paiticularobject is to'provide Va novel and improved combination aerator and hose coupling device of the foregoing character which eliminates the need for sealing the air inlet when the device is functioning as a hose coupling.

A further object is to provide a novel combination aerator and hose coupling device which is simple in construction, reliable in operation, and economical to manufacture,

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description and accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. l is a side elevational view of a water faucet having a combination aerator and hose coupling device embodying the features of the present invention mounted on the outlet end of the faucet and showing in dotted line a typical snap-coupling type hose tting engaged with the device;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view show- 2 ing internal structural details of the combination device illustrated in FIG. l and the associated snap-coupling itting;

iFlG. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line 3 3 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. t is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view along the line 4 4 or" `FlG. 2.

ln FIGS. l and 2, a combination aerator and hose coupling device l@ embodying the features of the present i11- vention is shown mounted on the end of a faucet 11, which is externally threaded as at .Cl-2 to facilitate mounting of the device lli.

The device l, in the present instance, comprises an imperforate tubular casing 16 having an upper or aerator enclosing portion i7 and a lower or male coupling portion 1S which is adapted to receive and releasably retain the female portion, indicated at i9, of an associated snapcoupiing fitting 2'. The upper end of the casing portion i7 which comprises a liquid inlet is internally threaded, as at 2l, to permit threadedengagement and disengagement of the device lil relative to the faucet lll.

The lower casing or male coupling portion l is shaped to conform to the standardized specications for this type of fitting and consequently is of smaller diameter than the casing portion i7. rEhe lower casing or male coupling portion i3 also includes an annular groove Z2 therearound having a tapered lower side wall 2S, and the bottom half of the casing portion 5.8 includes a reduced diameter portion 26 derhiing an annular shoulder 27 spaced somewhat below tne groove 22.

Before proceeding with the detailed description of the device il?, a brief `description or the snap-coupling fitting Zi? will be given, the latter being constructed in accordance with standardized specifications so as to readily mate with the male coupling portion Thus, the fitting 2G comprises an elongated tubular member Sil which includes an upper or female coupling portion 24.9 adapted to engage the male coupling portion i8 of the device 10, and an integral nipple 33 adapted to receive and retain the end of a hose 34. The upper end of the portion L9 is provided with a plurality or", and in this instance three, circumferentially spaced radially extending openings or bores Se, only one of which is shown in Flu. 2. A ball 57 having a diameter somewhat greater than the -wall thiol;- ness of the portion i9 is mounted in each bore, the balls 37 being adapted to be shifted radially inwardly in their bores 36 to seat in the annular groove 22 of the male coupling portion and against the tapered lower edge 23 of the groove, as illustrated by the full line position of the ball 37 in FlG. 2.

The balls 37 are releasably urged into engagement with the groove 22 to maintain the coupling portions l and l@ engaged by means oi `an axially slriftable sleeve member 38 disposed around the coupling portion i9. The sleeve is provided at its upper end with an rannular tapered internal shoulder 39 for engaging die balls 37 when the sleeve is shifted upwardly or tow-ard the outer end of the coupling portion i9. A coil spring di is provided concentrically between coacting portions of the sleeve 38 and the coupling portion i9 to normally urge the sleeve 3S upwardly toward its full line position illustrated in FlG. 2, and a snap ring i2 is provided around the upperend of the coupling portion i9 to prevent disengagement of the sleeve 3d when the iltting Ztl is removed from .the device it). An annular rubber seal i3 seats in an annular groove 44 in the inner wall of the coupling portion i9 and extends into the reduced diameter portion 26 of the coupling portion :i8 to prevent iluid leakage between the coupling portions l? and i9 when the iittmg Ztl is engaged with the device lll.

isengagement of the tting Ztl from the device lil is effected lby axially retracting or `shifting the sleeve 38 to the dotted line position indicated at 38' in FIG. 2. Such movements permits the balls El to move outwardly in their bores 36, as indicated by the dotted line position 37' of the ball in HG. 2.k

Mounted within the aerator portion i7 of the lcasing i6 is aerating means, indicated generally at Si?, for aeratin-g inlet liquid, in this instance, water flowing through the faucet il and devi lil. Means in the form of `a plurality of circumferentially spaced vertically extending ribs or splines l (FlGS. 2 and 3) are provided around the inner wall, indicated at 5?., of the casing portion i7, and the ribs 5l define a series of shoulders 53 at their upper ends upon which the internal structure of the aerating means Sti is mounted. A plurality of circumferentially spaced axially extending grooves S4- are deliued between the ribs 5l, and the inner radial edge, indicated at 55, of each rib 5l tapers downwardly and inwardly toward the flower end of the casing portion i7. An enlarged space ed is provided in the casing portion l7 below the ribs Sl, and the lower end ot the casing'portion i7 has 'an inner tapered wall 56 adjacent the coupling portion yl of the casing.

Mounted on the shoulders 53 is an `annular baille 57 having its upper end 5?; dared outwardly into tight frictional engagement with the inner wall 52 of the casing portion 17. The major portion of the baille 24 extends axially downwardly to define la skirt, the 4lower end of which, indicated at En, is inturned radially to provide -a lip.

A disk 6l having a diameter somewhat less than the iameter of the inner wail 5T, is mounted above the barile 57, the disk el being removably seated on the outwardly flared upper end 5S of the bathe 57. rhe disk 6l includes a plurality of axially extending bores or openings 62 therethrough arranged in a ring having a diameter somewhat less than the inner diameter of the inturned lip 59. The openings or apertures 62 convert the stream of water in the faucet il into a multiplicity of substantially independent discrete jets which discharge into -a mixing chamber 63 below the disk 6l. The jets in chamber 63 are surrounded by air, as will be hereinafter described, and a certain Aamount of this air is entrained in the water.

Depending from the disc is a generally mushroomshaped breakup or splash plug 65 having a diameter somewhat greater than the diameter of the ring of openings 62 and less than that of the inturned lip 59 of the Ybaille 57. Thus, the adjacent edge of the lip S9 and the maximum dia-meter portion of the plug 66 define an annular passage or orice 67 therebetween.

The jets of water from the openings d?. impinging upon the plu-g 66 are broken up and mixed -with air in the chamber 63 and lafter passing downwardly through the annular orice 67 enter an additional mixing zone 68 below the baille S7. Further mixing of the air and water is achievedV in the Zone 63 with the result that a soft aerated mixture is obtained.

Mounted below 4the nera-.ting means Si? and cooperable therewith is a `tubular partition 7d, preferably of organic plastic'material such as polyethylene or Delrin. The tubular portion'7tl comprises an upper cylindrical portion '7l disposed in the casing portion i7, -a lower cylindrical portion 72 of lesser diameter than the portion 7l `and disposed within the coupling portion i8, and an intermediate tapered portion 73 connecting the upper and lower portions 71 `and 72, respectively.

The upper portion 7l engages the ribs 5l near the lower ends of the inner Vradial edges 55 thereof to thereby center the portion 7l in the casing portion i7. The annular inner surface, indicated `at 74, of the portion 71 cooperates with the periphery of the breakup plug 56 to deline the mixing Zone 63.

The intermediate portion 73 of the partition 70 has an `angle of taper substantially equal to that of the tapered wall S6 (FlG. 2) at the lower end of the casing portion V17, such `angle preferably 'being about 60 degrees. A

l Screen 76 is mounted at the upper end of the tapered portion 73, the screen serving to form and coalesce the aeratcd mixture from the zone 6d so as to provide a coherent aerated stream when the device it? is functioning as an aerator.

The lower cylindrical portion 7 2 has an outer :diameter somewhat less than the inner diameter of the side wall, indicated at 78, of the coupling portion 1S to define an annular space Sti therebetween `for the upward passage of air from the lower end of the coupling portion. In order to assure centering of the lower portion 72 in the bore or sidewall 7 d ofthe coupling portion i8, Aa plurality, and preferably three, circumferentially spaced axially extending ribs or splines Si (FlGS. 2, 3 and 4) `are provided on the outer surface of the lower portion 72 `and the intermediate portion 73, the ribs Si engaging the adjacent side wall 7 and the tapered inner `wall 56 ofthe casing portion i7. The upper ends of the ribs 8l terminate at the pcriphery of the upper portion 71. 'ihe lower portion 72 has a length substantially equal to ibut somewhat less than the axial length of the inner side wall 7d of the coupling portion 13, and the 4lower end, indicated `at 82, of the portion 72 defines a uid outlet for aerated fluid Flowing ydownwardly through the partition 79. The lower end, indicated at S3 (FlGS. 2 and 4), of the annular passage Sii comprises an inlet for air, the passage di? communicating at its upper end with the aerating means 5d by means of the space 69 and the igrooves 54%.

The extended length of the tapered portion 73 and lower portion 72 assures efective operation of the aerating means 5d and prevents back-ooding through the air passages due to the restricting eiect of the portion 72 by permitting a gradual increase in the Velocity of the aerated ow. ln addition, the extended length of the portion 7 2 improves the coalescence or forming of the aerated stream.

In the operation of the combination aerator and hose coupling device 1i), when the snap-coupling fitting 2t) is disengaged from the coupling portion 18, the device lil functions as a bottom air inlet aerator. That is, water under pressure from the faucet 1l is converted into a multiplicity of ne or discrete jets of water after passage through the ring of openings 62 in the disk 6l. These jets are surrounded by air which ows upwardly from the air inlet d3 at the lower end of the casing portion i3, through the annular air passage 3i? between the splines 8l, and thence through the space dll and the grooves 54 into the mixing zone 68 and also through the oritice 67 into the mixing chamber 63. The jets of water from the openings 62 impinging upon the upper surface of the plug 6e are broken up and become intimately mixed with air in the mixing zone 63.

The intimate mixture of airV and water in the chamber 63 flows downwardly through the orilice 67 to the mixing zone ed where further mixing of air and water takes place. Thereafter, the aerated stream passes downwardly through the screen 7d which softens the flow and contributes to its non-splash characteristics.

As hereofore mentioned brieiiy, the provision of a bottom air inlet for the aerator device eliminates the custornary lateral air ports in the casing portion 17, thereby avoiding the necessity for a special seal arrangement to close such ports when the coupling 20 is connected to the aerator. However, it will be appreciated that the aerator body or casing le is specially designed to provide the male half of the snap-coupling connection. Thus, the upper casing portion 17 comprises the customary aerator housing but the lower casing portion iS comprises an appendage providing the necessary snap-coupling structure for coaction with the female coupling unit 2li. Since the dimensions of the elongated lower casing portion 18 must correspond to the standard snap-coupling body, it will` be seen from FIG. 2 that the provision of the casing portion iS results in an elongated outlet from the aerator having a substantially restricted diameter as compared with the normal aerator casing outlet. Moreover, since the tubular partition 7u must fit within the lower casing portion 18, the diameter of the effluent aerated stream is restricted appreciably as compared with a conventional bottom air inlet aerator.

Accordingly, it will be recognized that the inclusion of the lower casing portion 18 in the combination device imparts a materially increased resistance to fluid ow at the outlet end of the device. Unless special design precautions are taken, this increased resistance to flow at the outlet tends to cause back-dooding of water through the air passages which would render the device inoperative as an aerator. In accordance with the present invention, this tendency toward back-ooding is overcome by the provision in the tubular partition 7) of the elongated tapered section 73 having a substantial axial extent such that the aerated stream discharging from the screen 76 is gradually restricted in diameter to provide streamlined flow and a substantially increased velocity suicient to overcome the added flow resistance of the restricted diameter tubular portion 72. In addition to imparting increased velocity under streamline tiow conditions so as to prevent back-flooding, the tapered section 73 is also of sufiicient length to cause coalescence and forming of the high velocity effluent fluid into a coherent aerated stream.

The integral splines or ribs 81 on the lower section 72 of the tubular partition 79 insure positioning of the section '72 in centered or concentric relation within the casing portion 18, thereby preventing deflection of the section 72 and insuring a uniform symmetrical air passage 80. If the tubular partition 70 is not accurately centered in the body 16, unequal air distribution could result with consequent inefficient operation of the aerating means Sii. The extension of the splines or ribs 81 upwardly along the tapered portion 73 of the tubular partition is also important to insure uniform spacing of the tapered section 73 'from the tapered wall portion S6 of the body of the device so that uniform distribution of inlet air is obtained throughout the length of the device from the lower inlet end S3 of the passage 8f3 to the terminus of the cylindrical portion 71 at the upper end of the partition 7). Thus, with the external splined structure of the partition it is impossible to block off or restrict any portion of the air inlet channel by improper assembly of the device. The partition 7i) is merely inserted into the casing or body 16 and pressed into position until the splines 81 on the tapered section 73 engage the tapered casing surface 56.

When it is desired to use the device 1G as a hose coupling, it is only necesary to engage the female coupling portion 19 of the fitting 2t) around the lower or male portion 18 of the casing in the manner illustrated in FIG. 2. Such engagement is effected in a well known manner by initially retracting the sleeve 33 to permit the retaining balls 37 of the fitting to move outwardly in their bores 36 until the portion 19 is fully engaged with the portion 1S. A shoulder d4 is formed on the under surface of the casing portion 17 to limit coupling movement of the fitting 29 and to align the balls 37 with the groove 22.

When the coupling portion 19 is fully engaged with the coupling portion 18, the sleeve 38 may be released to seat the balls 37 in the groove 22 to lock the coupling to the device lf). When so connected, the annular seal 43 prevents escape of water between the casing portion l and the coupling portion 19.

It will be understood that when the hose coupling 2@ is connected to the coupling portion 1S of the casing l, the device no longer functions as an aerator since the air inlet 83 is enclosed within the liquid flow passage to the hose 34 and air has no access to the device. However, the annular air passage di? and its inlet end 33 remain unobstructed, and as a result of back pressure in the hose 34, pressure is substantially equalized throughout the device 1f) so that liquid flows both through the center of the 6 tubular partition 76 and also through the annular passage 89 into the nipple 33 and the hose 34.

Although the invention has been described with reference to one specific structural embodiment, it will be understood that modifications and equivalent structures may be resorted to without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

l. A combination aerator and hose coupling device adapted to be connected to a faucet or the like, comprising an imperforate tubular casing including an upper aerator portion having a liquid inlet at its upper end adapted to be connected to said faucet and a lower coupling portion having means for receiving and releasably retaining a hose fitting, said aerator portion having aerating means therein for breaking up inlet liquid into a multiplicity of streams and intimately mixing the same with air, and a tubular partition mounted concentrically in said casing and defining a fluid outlet at the lower end of said coupling portion for discharging aerated fluid therefrom, said tubular partition and casing defining an annular passage therebetween for the entry of air into the casing from the lower end thereof in countercurrent relation with respect to the flow of aerated uid from said tubular partition when the hose fitting is unattached to said coupling portion, and said passage remaining open and unobstructed when the hose fitting is connected to said coupling portion so that liquid is discharged through said partition and through said passage.

2. A combination aerator and hose coupling device adapted to be connected to a faucet or the like, comprising an imperforate tubular casing including an upper aerator portion having a liquid inlet at its upper end adapted to be connected to said faucet and a lower coupling portion of smaller diameter than said aerator portion and having means for receiving and releasably retaining a hose fitting, said aerator portion having aerating means therein for breaking up inlet liquid into a multiplicity of streams and intimately mixing the same with air, and a tubular partition mounted concentrically in said casing and dening a fluid outlet at the lower end of said coupling portion for discharging aerated fluid therefrom, said tubular partition including an upper portion disposed in the aerator portion of said casing, a lower portion disposed in the coupling portion of said casing, and a tapered portion connecting the upper and lower portions of said partition, said tubular partition and casing defining an annular passage therebetween for the entry of air into the casing from the lower end thereof in countercurrent relation with respect to the flow of aerated duid from said tubular partition when the hose fitting is unattached to said coupling portion, and said passage remaining open and unobstructed when the hose fitting is connected to said coupling portion so that liquid is discharged through said partition and through said passage.

3. The combination of claim 2, further characterized in that the lower portion of said tubular partition has a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs on its outer surface for engaging the inner surface of said casing to center said partition.

4. The combination of claim 2, further characterized in that a plurality of circumferentially spaced ribs are provided on said partition, and said ribs extend upwardly along the outer surface of the lower and tapered portions of said tubular partition.

5. The combination of claim 2, further characterized in that the lower portion of said tubular partition has a length substantially equal to that of said hose coupling portion.

6. The combination of claim 5, further characterized in that the tapered portion of said partition is disposed below said aerating means, and has an angle of taper of about 6() degrees.

7. A combination aerator and hose coupling device adapted to be connected to a faucet or the like to provide an unaerated liquid iiow when an associated hose fitting is engaged therewith and an aerated liquid ow when said ritting is disengaged; Y'comprising an imperforate tubular casing having an upper aer'atr portion adapted to be connected to said faucet and a lower hose coupling portion of lesser diameter than said aerator portion and adapted to receive an associated hose fitting, the inner walls of said aerator and hose coupling portions of said easing being substantially cylindrical and said casing also having a tapered section connecting said inner walls, said aerator portion having a liquid inlet at its upper end; aerating means disposed within said aerator portion for intimately mixing inlet liquid with air; a tubular partition mounted concentrically in said casing and including an upper cylindrical portion disposed in the aerator portion of said casing, a lower cylindrical portion disposed in said hose coupling portion of said casing and defining a iluid outlet at the lower end thereof for discharging aerated uid, and a tapered portion connecting the upper and lower portions of said partition; said tubular partition and said Vcasing detining an annular air passage therebetween for communicating air to said aerating means, the tapered portion of said partition having an angle of taper substantially equal to that of said tapered section of said casing; and a plurality of longitudinally extending circumferentially spaced ribs on the outer surface of the lower and tapered portions of said tubular partition, said ribs engaging the inner walls of said hose coupling portion and said tapered section of said casing and centering said partition therein.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,954,935 shames et ai. oct. 4, 1960 3,010,659 Goodrie Nov. 28, 1961 3,011,725 Shames etal Dec. 5, 1961 

1. A COMBINATION AERATOR AND HOSE COUPLING DEVICE ADAPTED TO BE CONNECTED TO A FAUCET OR THE LIKE, COMPRISING AN IMPERFORATE TUBULAR CASING INCLUDING AN UPPER AERATOR PORTION HAVING A LIQUID INLET AT ITS UPPER END ADAPTED TO BE CONNECTED TO SAID FAUCET AND A LOWER COUPLING PORTION HAVING MEANS FOR RECEIVING AND RELEASABLY RETAINING A HOSE FITTING, SAID AERATOR PORTION HAVING AERATING MEANS THEREIN FOR BREAKING UP INLET LIQUID INTO A MULTIPLICITY OF STREAMS AND INTIMATELY MIXING THE SAME WITH AIR, AND A TUBULAR PARTITION MOUNTED CONCENTRICALLY IN SAID CASING AND DEFINING A FLUID OUTLET AT THE LOWER END OF SAID COUPLING PORTION FOR DISCHARGING AERATED FLUID THEREFROM, SAID TUBULAR PARTITION AND CASING DEFINING AN ANNULAR PASSAGE THEREBETWEEN FOR THE ENTRY OF AIR INTO THE CASING FROM THE LOWER END THEREOF IN COUNTERCURRENT RELATION WITH RESPECT TO THE FLOW OF AERATED FLUID FROM SAID TUBULAR PARTITION WHEN THE HOSE FITTING IS UNATTACHED TO SAID COUPLING PORTION, AND SAID PASSAGE REMAINING OPEN AND UNOBSTRUCTED WHEN THE HOSE FITTING IS CONNECTED TO SAID COUPLING PORTION SO THAT LIQUID IS DISCHARGED THROUGH SAID PARTITION AND THROUGH SAID PASSAGE. 